PUTTING THE WRENCH IN MONKEY WRENCH

And the O.C. Register's Arts Blog has a shiny new update on the situation:

Barton said he would have preferred to do things differently regarding the permitting process, but is frustrated by the city’s restrictive codes for public performance spaces.

"We should have followed the rules in that respect. But if we were doing a retail space we wouldn’t have to go through any of this. They’re classifying this (venue) as an auditorium, but it’s a small, intimate space -— 25 or 30 seats. The restrictions they’re placing on us, these things are based upon a 300-seat theater space. I think it’s unreasonable. They don’t have any in-between code here. We have to add a drinking fountain and a separate bathroom for the disabled."

Barton said the current difficulties could well scuttle his theater company’s plans to open in Fullerton. "The inspector said we’d have to pay double costs per permit as a penalty. We’ve spent $15,000 already, and it now might be an extra $20,000 on top of that. That could mean we have to look elsewhere. We need to talk to the landlord and find out how much he can kick in."

"We love the space. It’s not a black box. It looks like a New York space. Maybe we can come to some kind of accommodation on Friday when we meet with the landlord and discuss whether we can proceed.

"If we can’t, we’re walking."

O.C. Register Arts Blog